London is a terrifically wonderful place to be right now. Many, many people have remarked on the transformed atmosphere in the place in the last few weeks due to the Olympics, the fabulous weather, the remaining goodwill from the Jubilee, or what-have-you. Whatever it is, London is certainly charmed at the moment. And oh, my … Continue reading
Category Archives: Reviews
Witching Hour Shakespeare
I’d never been to the Globe before, and it seemed that a midnight matinee was the perfect introduction. I went to see The Taming of the Shrew, a play that has always troubled me. At first glance and even on further examination, it looks very much like a play about the virtues of female submission … Continue reading
On British Eccentricity
People often ask me why I like living in Britain. There are a number of reasons but one of the biggest only became clear to me during the Opening Ceremonies a few days ago. I’ve often remarked that the people of the British Isles, dear and lovely though they may be, are also completely bonkers. … Continue reading
Posh (the play)
After a truly indulgent day attending ‘Off the Shelf at Black’s’, a writing workshop at Black’s members club (for more upon which, stay tuned), I traipsed off to ‘Posh’ at the Duke of York’s Theatre. During the interval I remarked to a friend that it was a bit like the first half of ‘She Stoops … Continue reading
Watching and Listening
I find magic captivating. There is something about the illusion of rising beyond the mundane, the tantalizing imagined possibility of defying physics and chemistry and logic and even death that unfailingly draws me in. And it’s not just me: every seat at ‘Show and Tell’, Barry and Stuart’s show at the Bloomsbury Theatre was sold … Continue reading
Anthropological Anxieties
I’ve been watching Grayson Perry’s series on the English class boundaries around ‘taste’ (titled helpfully ‘In the Best Possible Taste’). His research was ultimately aimed towards creating six large tapestries, but as the techniques he’s using to do the research are largely anthropological in nature it brought home for me again some of the anxieties … Continue reading
Staged Magic
I went to the last performance of ‘The Duchess of Malfi’ at the Old Vic. When I entered the theatre clouds of frankincense wafted over me. What an evocative scent, one that will always remind me of trying to find calm in a turbulent time. I burned frankincense candles in Egypt when all was going … Continue reading
Spurious Museums
Well, despite my time in Scotland being a writing trip I did manage to find time for distractions and diversions. On the first day I left the Elephant cafe wandering up towards Edinburgh castle. As I moved towards the entrance I finally realized that the giant sports-stadium style scaffolding projecting out from the hillside is … Continue reading
The Gas Leak
Just before I left the house for the evening last Tuesday, my housemate drew my attention to the smell of gas in the kitchen. We sort of hemmed and hawed for a bit, not knowing exactly who you’re supposed to call when you suspect a gas leak. And really? A gas leak? I mean, how … Continue reading
The Fitzrovia Radio Hour (or, What-Ho at the Ambassador!)
Neither of us had wine with dinner. Mild surprise registered on the face of the waitress, given that it was Valentine’s Day. After she disappeared, we looked at each other. “She probably thinks we’re having a…” “Completely non-romantic evening. Which is exactly right, of course!” The waitress returned with our pot of tea and no … Continue reading
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